SAW-WHET OWL 241 



Migration. — The movements of the saw-whet owl are too erratic to 

 be considered as true migration, and it will be observed that there is 

 little difference in the breeding and wintering ranges outlined. Never- 

 theless, it is probable that in winter the individuals in the northern 

 parts of the breeding range generally withdraw to the southward. 

 Furthermore, during some winters the species becomes much more 

 numerous in certain parts of its winter range. At such times a heavy 

 autumnal flight may have preceded the concentration. Such flights 

 usually take place in October but they are sometimes delayed until 

 late in December. 



In southern Ontario a large flight was recorded in the fall of 1889, 

 again during the period October 10 to 28, 1895, and a third on October 

 10, 190G. On the latter occasion large numbers were killed by a storm 

 while crossing Lake Huron. 



The saw-whet is rarely seen in southern latitudes after the latter 

 part of March. 



Casual records. — There are a number of recorded instances of this 

 species in regions that are outside of the normal range. Among these 

 are the following: 



One was seen at Lewisburg, W. Va., on December 24, 1914. In 

 Virginia one was reported from Parksley on December 10, 1889; 

 another was taken at Cowart on November 26, 1902; and a third was 

 seen at Blacksburg in January 1912. A mounted specimen was ex- 

 hibited at the fair at New Bern, N. C, in 1892; an adult female was 

 collected at Raleigh, on December 18, 1894; and another was taken in 

 Wake County, on December 4, 1897. South Carolina has at least four 

 records — a specimen with incomplete data from St. Helena Island; 

 one collected on November 11, 1909, at Weston; one taken at Aiken 

 in February 1899; and one seen by Wayne at Mount Pleasant on 

 December 24, 1885. A specimen taken on Tybee Island, Ga., January 

 1, 1911, was identified at the Biological Survey. One was collected 

 at Madisonville, La., in December 1889. 



Macoun lists the species as a "not uncommon summer migrant" in 

 Newfoundland but gives no additional details. In Bermuda, on 

 January 12, 1849, one was found sitting inside the muzzle of a gun 

 and was kept alive for several days. Another was reported to have 

 been seen in the same locality a short time afterward. 



The status of the few saw- whets that have been reported from Mexico 

 and Guatemala is somewhat uncertain, but they are considered a 

 distinct race by some authors. 



Egg dates. — New York and New England: 12 records, March 19 

 to July 3; 6 records, April 10 to 30, indicating the height of the season 



Ontario to New Brunswick: 3 records, April G and May 23 and 28. 



Washington and Oregon: 2 records, April 12 and May 2. 



Oklahoma: 2 records, April 18 and May 3. 



